Family Traditions

"In truth a family is what you make it. It is made strong, not by number of heads counted at the dinner table, but by the rituals you help family members create, by the memories you share, by the commitment of time, caring, and love you show to one another, and by the hopes for the future you have as individuals and as a unit." ~ Marge Kennedy

I love family traditions.

One of our newest ones is spending part of Labor Day weekend at the beach.

It's a lovely way to end the summer.

From walking down the beach to playing in the sand....

.... collecting seashells to relaxing in the ocean....

.... it's a time to celebrate the end of one season and the beginning of another....

....as a family.

I am grateful for the time we are able to spend together as a family. Autumn is a good time to begin your own traditions. Whether picking apples or visiting a pumpkin patch, attending a football game or building a bonfire, see if you can find a way to make memories with those you love.

What traditions does your family enjoy this time of year?

Read what others are thankful for at Gratituesday hosted by Heavenly Homemakers.

I Will Do Him Good

Will the way I treat my husband today be for his good?

Proverbs 31:12: "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."

The Virtuous Woman is Pure.

Her motives are pure. She seeks what is best for him; she is not sneaky or conniving, trying to manipulate him into doing what she wants.

Her actions are pure. She meets his needs and chooses to do those things that will gain his approval. It is more important to her that he be benefited by her actions than that her own reputation be promoted.

Her words are pure. She encourages and uplifts, refusing to use her words to tear down or berate. Yet she admonishes when needed, but always in private with a humble heart, a gracious spirit and a gentle tone.

Her heart is pure. She wants to be a true help meet, so she strives to maintain her walk with God while bathing her husband in prayer. She doesn't seek to re-make her husband according to her wishes, but does all that she can to help him become the man God would have him to be.

Just three weeks into our study of the virtuous woman, I realize how utterly helpless I am to be like her. Only by the Holy Spirit's power can I have the wisdom and strength to be a Godly wife and mother.

Read previous attributes of the virtuous woman here and here.

Saturday Salutes

As we journey toward healthier eating, I like learning from others who are doing the same. Amanda shares her Top Ten Healthy Whole Food Steps at Oh Amanda.

I enjoyed reading how Alicia made her decision to homeschool her children in her interview at The Homeschool Post.

Kara at Simple Kids encourages practical life skills by letting her children help with household tasks.

Have a fabulous Labor day weekend!

Middle Ground

Shoes.

They're a necessary part of a wardrobe and can range from plain and practical to fancy and frivolous.

For the past nine years, my oldest daughter has entered every fall and winter season with a cute, but sensible, pair of black Mary Janes. They're not expensive - usually these from Payless - but they hold up well and match every church dress in her closet.

However, I was afraid that after acquiring her first "high heels" this past spring, those reliable, predictable shoes may not be acceptable anymore.

I was right.

As we began scouting the stores this week for suitable church shoes, her eyes were drawn to a pair of flats -sparkly, but safe enough. Unfortunately, her size wasn't available. Then she spotted some boots, and asked if she could have a pair with a heel like mine this year.

Once again, I find myself seeking a middle ground, settling on a choice that she can see as a bit more grown up and something I can live with as not too mature.

Maybe I should get comfortable on this middle ground; I see myself spending lots of time here in the future.


How do you balance your child's taste in clothing or shoes with what you prefer?

Thirteen Reasons I Look Forward to Fall

There are things I enjoy about every season. Fall, however, is definitely one of my favorites. Here are thirteen things I'm anticipating in the next few months.

1. Cool temperatures


2. Apples in season


3. Leaves changing colors


4. Hot chocolate


5. Putting on sweaters


6. Slow Cooker Chili


7. Football season


8. Fairs and festivals


9. Pumpkin dishes


10. Wearing boots


11. A fire in the fireplace


12. Loaded Potato Soup


13. Our trip to Walt Disney World

What are your favorite things about Autumn?

photo courtesy public domain pictures

Hot Cross Buns

Go ahead and sing the song....one ha' penny, two ha' penny, hot cross buns!

Lately Monday has been bread-baking day at our house. This week I wanted to try something different while using the white winter wheat I had received. From the April 2010 issue of Family Fun, I had saved a recipe for Hot Cross Buns.

I followed the recipe fairly closely, using one cup of wheat flour and two cups of white, reducing the sugar just a bit (of course!) and eliminating the egg wash that was called for just prior to baking the buns.

The end result was very tasty! While my daughters helped me make homemade bread several times this summer, this is a recipe I would like for them to make soon as it is simple and delicious.

Hot Cross Buns

Dough:
1/2 cup milk
3 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup cold water
1 large egg
1-1/2 tablespoons instant yeast
3 cups flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins

Icing:
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 teaspoons milk

Combine the milk, butter, and sugar in a small bowl and microwave on high until the butter has melted and the milk is just bubbling, about 1 1/2 minutes. Whisk in the water and allow the mixture to cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Whisk the egg into the liquid mixture until well blended.

In a large bowl, combine the yeast, flour, salt, cinnamon, and raisins. Add the milk mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it 3 to 4 minutes, or until it's smooth and elastic. Add more flour as necessary if the dough is too sticky. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise until it has doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Punch down the dough in the bowl, then transfer it to a floured surface. Cover the dough and let it rest 10 more minutes.

To form rolls, divide the dough into 12 pieces and shape each piece into a ball. Place the balls about 1 inch apart on a cookie sheet that is lined with parchment paper. Cover the rolls with a towel and allow them to rise at room temperature until they have doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.

Bake the rolls at 375 degrees until brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool.

In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. Spoon the icing into a plastic, resealable bag. Snip a corner from the bag and squeeze an icing cross onto each bun.

Makes 12 buns.

Find more homemaking ideas at Raising Homemakers weekly link-up. Family traditions and recipes are shared at Coupon Cookin's Tasty Traditions.